Colette’s Corner: Money, It’s a Gas…

Recent months have exposed the dire straits that the country’s monetary situation is in. While we can look back on “irrational exuberance”, gluttonous behavior and irresponsible squandering of cash flow, it doesn’t change the nauseousness of the wild roller coaster ride of down 554, up 890, down 411, up 553, down 427, down 445 and up 494. Add falling home values, lack of available credit, massive lay-offs, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. America has faced Recessions and Depressions before, but this one seems particularly heinous due to the advent of 401k plans 25 years ago that wraps many Americans long-term savings into a struggling stock market. Now, talk about “bottoms” and derivatives, GDP and bailouts are common around the water cooler.

I’ve been assured that this is just a cyclical correction. Yes, it’s going to be bad before it gets better. Yes, we should all be thankful for health and family. No, money is not the real secret to happiness, however it can be the source of real problems. So, what do we do? Well, for now, sit tight, don’t panic, have a drink, and listen to some music. Isn’t that a generally good cure for what ails?

Here’s Colette’s contribution on the necessary evil of MONEY:

In this time of financial meltdown, it’s difficult to stay optimistic about one’s own bank account let alone the entire economy.

So what to do?

That’s where music comes in. It won’t pay the rent or keep the wolf from the door. But when its cool, sly and soulful, music can lift your spirits — even songs about cold, hard cash.

We begin with a classic ode to moolah from the Holy Grail of Monty Python:

— “Money Programme” — Monty Python

A similar sentiment, voiced by Liza Minelli and Joel Grey in the Broadway musical “Cabaret”

— “Money” from the movie of “Cabaret”

Elvis weighed in on the subject too, in his sizzling hot 1950s cover of the popular Eddie Cochrane tune:

— “Money Honey” — Elvis Presley

One can get very carried away with the pursuit of the almighty buck, however. Even when times are tough, let’s not take it extremes like Randy Newman does in one of his classics:

— “It’s Money That I Love” — Randy Newman

And money isn’t everything, right? How about love? The late, great Ella Fitzgerald reminds us of that in this sterling standard:

— “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” — Ella Fitzgerald

And in this great old blues and country standard, Ben Harper and the fabulous 5 Blind Boys of Alabama make it clear that some things are more precious than gold:

— “Satisfied Mind” — Ben Harper & 5 Blind Boys

Of course, there’s always way to get your hands on some cash, but it can be a little shady — as Ricki Lee Jones lays it down in this sultry little jumpin’ blues:

— “Easy Money” — Ricki Lee Jones

People singin’ about this subject a long, long time. Here’s The Boss with a really rousing rendition of an old folk song — performed here live and Cajun-style in a really fun house-party-style record session for The Seeger Sessions, with a lot of voices, accordion, trumpet and other stuff:

— “Pay Me Money Down” — Bruce Springsteen

Well, all we can do is hope this economic mess gets straightened out before we’re all out on the streets selling pencils and apples. Remember that eventually the Great Depression ended, and Hollywood escapism helped:

— “We’re in the Money” — Ginger Rogers, from the movie “Golddiggers of 1933”

Thanks, Colette.

I personally bend to Pink Floyd’s Money (click on picture caption above), and might be able to score two tickets to paradise from the great, Eddie Money.

While money does help to make the world go ’round, perhaps we can find solace in a Pocket Full of Rainbows (and maybe a few kittens)?